Harry Collins, (born 13 June 1943),
is a British
sociologist of science at the School of Social Sciences,
Cardiff University
, latin_name =
, image_name = Shield of the University of Cardiff.svg
, image_size = 150px
, caption = Coat of arms of Cardiff University
, motto = cy, Gwirionedd, Undod a Chytgord
, mottoeng = Truth, Unity and Concord
, established = 1 ...
, Wales. In 2012 he was elected a Fellow of the
British Academy.
Career
While at the
University of Bath Professor Collins developed the Bath School approach to the
sociology of scientific knowledge.
In ''Changing Order: Replication and Induction in Scientific Practice'', Collins outlines a general theory of
sociology of science. Drawing from the concepts of "Language Game" and "Forms of Life", derived from the philosopher
Ludwig Wittgenstein, he seeks an explanation for how scientists follow rules and patterns when performing experiments and scientific practice. Collins' perspective is usually called a
relativist position, although this is a strong
oversimplification.
Collins has written for over 30 years on the sociology of
gravitational wave
Gravitational waves are waves of the intensity of gravity generated by the accelerated masses of an orbital binary system that propagate as waves outward from their source at the speed of light. They were first proposed by Oliver Heaviside in 1 ...
physics. His publications in this area include: "The Seven Sexes: Study in Sociology of a Phenomenon, or Replication of Experiments in Physics" "Son of Seven Sexes: The Social Destruction of a Physical Phenomenon". He has traced the search for
gravitational wave
Gravitational waves are waves of the intensity of gravity generated by the accelerated masses of an orbital binary system that propagate as waves outward from their source at the speed of light. They were first proposed by Oliver Heaviside in 1 ...
s, and has shown how scientific data can be subject to interpretative flexibility, and how social or 'non-scientific' means can be sometimes used to close
scientific controversies
Controversies involving science exists in all aspects. Sometimes defined as a "''persistent disagreement''" over knowledge, the contrasting opinions of certain topics leaves individuals in a tense setting.
A scientific controversy is a substanti ...
.
At the beginning of the 2000s, Collins along with Dr Robert Evans, also of Cardiff University, has published works on what they term the "Third Wave of Science Studies" and, in particular, the idea of
interactional expertise. This aims to address questions of legitimacy and extension and public involvement in scientific decision-making. They continue to research and publish on this topic.
Selected works
Books
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**Explains the nature and limits of intelligent machines, especially expert systems.
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** ''Big Dog'', Collins' next book on LIGO, was published as part of the paperback edition of ''Gravity's Ghost'' (2011), with a combined title.
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Chapters in books
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Journal articles
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References
External links
Web page at University of CardiffThe Expertise NetworkHarry Collins's Gravitational Wave Project
H. M. Collins
at Library of Congress Authorities — with 16 catalogue records
{{DEFAULTSORT:Collins, Harry
1943 births
Academics of Cardiff University
Academics of the University of Bath
British sociologists
Living people
People from Penarth
Place of birth missing (living people)
Sociologists of science
Fellows of the British Academy